TIMELINE: NBC, Universal through the 20th century and beyond

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(Reuters) - NBC Universal was born on May 12, 2004, when NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment merged.

The entertainment conglomerate owned by General Electric Co and Vivendi SA includes the fourth-rated U.S. TV network, television production and broadcasting operations, 10 TV stations, Spanish-language U.S. broadcaster Telemundo, cable channels including the USA Network, CNBC, MSNBC, Bravo and Oxygen, and a stake in the Weather Channel.

It also owns Universal Studios film and DVD production and distribution operations, Focus Features and theme parks.

GE said on Thursday that it would buy out Vivendi’s 20 percent stake in NBC Universal and form a joint venture with U.S. cable provider Comcast Corp. Comcast will own 51 percent of the new NBC Universal venture, with GE holding the remainder.

Following is a history of the network and the movie company.

1912: Independent Moving Pictures of America merges with five other film companies to create Universal Film Manufacturing Co to produce, distribute and exhibit movies.

1915: Universal City, a state-of-the-art studio, officially opens in Los Angeles and is dedicated by General Electric founder and inventor Thomas Edison.

1926: The Radio Corporation of America (RCA) launches the National Broadcasting Co as the nation’s first permanent radio network. GE holds a 30 percent stake in NBC.

1931: NBC begins experimental TV broadcasts from atop the iconic Empire State Building in New York.

1932: RCA becomes the sole owner of NBC.

1939: NBC demonstrates television at New York World’s Fair and begins regular New York TV program service.

1941: NBC granted the U.S. Federal Communications Commission’s first commercial TV station license, for WNBT in New York.